Dealing with the Cost of Following Jesus

Luke 23:26

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Because Jesus was obedient to His Father's calling on His life, it cost others around Him.  It cost His disciples who suddenly were without the leading and teaching of their Master.  It cost His mother who suddenly lost a Son.  It cost His brothers and sisters who suddenly lost a sibling.  In the case of today's passage, it was Simon of Cyrene who bore a portion of the costs of Jesus' obedience when he was suddenly called to carry the cross of Jesus.

Whenever we choose to be obedient to God's calling on our lives, it is likely to cost other people.  It certainly will be a dramatic shock and cost to those near us who are not Christians when we proclaim that we have received Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior.   Our choice will completely shake up their world.

Then after receiving Jesus, suppose the Lord asks us to give up something we love doing because He wants more time with us.  It is likely that we shared our beloved activity with others who will suffer from our withdrawal from the activity.  Or it may be that our faithful service at church creates an internal challenge to those who are shunning a calling of their own.  We must guard against the inclination to move away from our calling in order to avoid costing others.  We simply must obey and leave the consequences with Our Lord.  He completely understands the challenge of dealing with the cries of those who would try to discourage us from our calling.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for creating us to fulfill unique plans and purposes in Your kingdom.  We pray that you keep us steadfast in our obedience to Your calling on our lives.  We ask, Lord, that You provide the strength we need to overcome the pressure that may come from others as they bear the costs of our obedience.  Show us, Father, how to forgive those that persecute us for serving You.  We pray these things in the name of the One who gave His life in obedience to the Father so that we may have eternal life, Jesus Christ.